MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Michigan is already known as one of the best craft beer states in the country according to USA Today, and soon Lansing area residents will be able to taste another local brewed beer.

Ellison Brewery and Spirits is a micro-brewery and distillery located in Meridian Township on 4903 Dawn Avenue. The Brewery is set to open late this summer according to owner and President of Operations Aaron Hansen.

"We're waiting on licensing, we have to do final inspections, obviously we need to finish construction, projection right now is probably July or August," he says.

While the brewery is still very much under construction, Hansen has a clear view for what he wants the final space to look like.

"All the tanks the production process, everything is going to be that open air feel, so you can get the sights the smells the sounds of brewing when you come here," he says.

The idea to open the brewery came to Hansen and long time friend and co-owner Leon Traczynski at a holiday party. He says, "We just started kicking around the idea and knew a few people in the industry and a year-and-a-half later here we are."

Ellison Brewery and Spirits will focus on high alcohol content beers according to Hansen, mostly in the 10 to 15 percent range, but that wont be the only thing they're making.

"We'll have a micro-brewery, we'll have a distillery, a small winery and we'll also be doing hard cider," says Hansen.

The brew house will be run by Brew Master Todd Schwem who has already received multiple awards and recognitions for his beer, including most recently a gold medal at the World Beer Cup.

Hansen says that is the quality people should expect. He also mentions they will be dong a lot of limited tasting events and releases prior to the grand opening.